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Saipan power production stable at 51MW
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Posted on Sep 15 2011
Despite some power plant engines that remain offline, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s power production on Saipan remains stable, with supply outstripping demand.
CUC power generation manager Al Santos said that Saipan has a total of 51 megawatts available as of Sept. 10, more than enough to support Saipan’s peak load of 34.2 megawatts.
“The diesel [engines] in operation are up to par with standards, utilizing 70 to 75 percent of generating capacity per unit. Even with three generator sets off grid, CUC’s generating capacity is more than enough to supply demand,” he told Saipan Tribune, adding that production is more than enough to keep the power on in homes and businesses.
CUC’s Power Plant 1 has seven diesel engines. Santos said that units 5 and 6 are currently on maintenance and undergoing retrofit work. Engine No. 5 is undergoing a turbocharger upgrade, block repairs and inlet/exhaust valve replacement. Engine No. 6 is awaiting the arrival of new inlet/exhaust valves and is expected to be back in operation by the end of this month.
Power Plant 2 has four diesel engines; engine No. 1 is currently undergoing repairs.
In Power Plant 4, all seven diesel engines are operational.
The Fitial administration placed CUC under its watch in August 2008 due to poor services and other concerns. The declaration was lifted in March this year as a result of the many progresses noted in its management and operations, specifically in power production.
